**8. References**

Aigner, A., Sticksel, E., Hartmann, S. (2008) Derzeitige Einschätzung von Zwischenfrüchten als Substrat zur Biogasgewinnung, In: LfL Bayern, Date of access: 16.5.2008, Available from:

**1. Introduction** 

treat UF whey permeate.

substrate for fermentation to produce biofuels.

**10** 

*Poland* 

**Feasibility of Bioenergy Production from** 

Cheese whey is a by-product generated during cheese manufacturing. The disposal of whey is problematic because of its high COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) (about 50,000 mg L-1 - 80,000 mg L-1), low solids content (5% DM), low bicarbonate alkalinity and its tendency to get acidified very rapidly (Aktaş et al., 2006; González Siso, 1996; Venetsaneas et al., 2009). In 2008, Poland produced almost 1123 thousand tonnes of whey (Agricultural Market Agency [ARR], 2009). Traditionally, cheese whey has been used to feed animals, but redistribution of whey to farmers is very expensive. Moreover, lactose intolerance of farm animals also limits the use of whey in feeding (de Glutz, 2009). Since large quantities of whey are produced (about 9 kg of whey in the production of 1 kg cheese) (Zafar & Owais, 2006), there is an increasing concern as how it can be efficiently and cost-efficiently

Proteins from cheese whey have a high nutritional value. For this reason cheese manufacturers have explored the possibilities of valorisation of whey. They recover proteins by membrane ultrafiltration (UF) process (Silveira et al., 2005). This method of separation has the main advantage – in does not denature proteins, so they save their original nutritional value (de Glutz, 2009). The residual protein-free material is called whey permeate. Permeate streams have very high COD value (about 50,000 – 70,000 mg L-1) (own studies), which represents an important environmental problem, similarly to whey. The chemical and biological instability of the UF whey permeate resulting in difficulties and high cost in its transport and storage. Proper management of this liquid is important due to strict legislation and economic reasons. Because of those there is a strong need to efficiently

UF whey permeate is composed mainly of lactose. Lactose concentration is about 50,000 mg L-1, so more than 90% of COD is due to lactose (de Glutz, 2009). Moreover, valuable compounds (proteins, vitamins) can be found in its composition. Since UF whey permeate contains significant quantities of lactose, the way to use this waste product could be as a

Nowadays, the most widely produced biofuels are ethanol and biogas (methane). Alcohol fuels are produced by fermentation of sugars derived from corn, sugar beet, sugarcane,

processed without adversely effecting the environment.

**Ultrafiltration Whey Permeate** 

**Using the UASB Reactors** 

*University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn,* 

Marta Kisielewska

 http://www.lfl.bayern.de/ipz/pflanzenbau\_biogas/30222/zwischenfrucht\_fuer\_ biogas\_ii.pdf

Ecoinvent, n.d., Swiss Centre for Life Cycle Inventories, Switzerland


energiepflanzen-03.pdf


 [http://www.carmen-ev.de/dt/hintergrund/biogas/vergl\_ biogasleitungen.pdf]. Last accessed August 2011
